Seamless slide plate for outdoor enclosure

ABSTRACT

An outdoor enclosure defines an internal cavity for receiving an electrical cable and for protecting wiring connections from adverse environmental conditions, such as water from rain, sleet, melting snow, or melting ice. The enclosure includes a housing having a back wall, a pair of side walls, a floor, and a top wall that together define an opening for providing access to the internal cavity. A slide plate is removably attached to the housing and extends continuously at least the entire width of the opening. The enclosure further includes a door attached to the housing that is movable between a closed position covering the opening and an opened position to expose the internal cavity. The slide plate is positioned between the top wall of the housing and the door and defines at least one passageway with the top wall for permitting passage of the electrical cable from an initial enclosure to a subsequent enclosure vertically stacked on the initial enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the slide plate comprises a first flange depending downwardly from the top wall and a second flange extending outwardly from the first flange that directs the water away from the opening of the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS (none) FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to outdoor enclosures forelectrical distribution network cables and wiring connections. Moreparticularly, the invention is a seamless slide plate that extendsacross the entire width of the opening of an outdoor enclosure toprovide for vertical expansion and for improved weatherability andaccess to the electrical cables and wiring connections in the event thatthe enclosure must be replaced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Outdoor enclosures for electrical distribution networks areexposed to various environmental conditions, and in particular, to waterfrom rain, sleet, melting snow, or melting ice. Due to the need toexpand subscriber service over time, service providers prefer to useoutdoor enclosures that provide for future expansion. As a result ofwiring density concerns, vertical expansion, or “stackability,” is themost desirable feature for providing future expansion. Stackability, asused herein, refers to the capability to position a subsequent enclosureon top of a previously installed enclosure and to route the existingservice cable and wiring between the initial and subsequent enclosures.For example, a service provider may desire to route a 100 pair telephonecable into the initial enclosure and to drop-off only 50 pair forconnection to existing subscriber drop lines. Later, the serviceprovider may desire to route the remaining 50 pair of the 100 pairtelephone cable into a subsequent enclosure for connection to additionalsubscriber drop lines.

[0003] Satisfying the stackability requirement, however, requires thatat least one, and preferably two, holes are formed in the top of theenclosure to route the service cable and any additional wiring from theinitial enclosure into the subsequent enclosure. Obviously, the presenceof a hole in the top of the enclosure creates the possibility that waterfrom rain, sleet, melting snow, or melting ice may enter the enclosureand cause a short of the wiring or electrical components housed insidethe enclosure. Consequently, the majority of outdoor enclosures do notprovide for vertical expansion. In instances where stackability isrequired, the top of the enclosure is typically provided with one ormore conduit knockouts. Once removed, the knockouts permit the servicecable and wiring to be routed between the two enclosures. Knockouts,however, present at least two problems. First, it is difficult to permiteasy removal of the knockout while at the same time properly sealing theknockout against environmental conditions. Second, once the servicecable is passed through the knockout and the wiring is connected, thehousing of the initial enclosure cannot be replaced without cutting theservice cable or without first disconnecting and then reconnecting thewiring adjacent the knockout. In either case, service to the additionalsubscribers must be disrupted temporarily.

[0004] To avoid the difficulties presented by conduit knockouts, it isknown to provide one or more slide plates at the top of the enclosure.As illustrated in FIG. 1, the top of the housing 11 of a prior artoutdoor enclosure 10 is typically provided with a first slide plate 12for the cable from the service provider to pass through and a secondslide plate 14 for the wiring connections to pass through. When not inuse, the slide plates 12, 14 are typically covered by a conventionalrain cap 13 removably attached to the top of the housing 11 of theenclosure 10. The slide plates 12, 14, however, create discontinuitiesin the horizontal rain channel 16 adjacent the opening 15 of the housing11. The discontinuities, which are in the form of a vertical seam 17 oneach side of the slide plates 12, 14, permit water to accumulate in therain channel 16 and to seep through the vertical seam 17 into theenclosure 10. The discontinuities are typically sealed with anon-porous, non-conductive, sealant of the type commonly used inelectrical applications, one example of which is sold under the tradename “B-Sealant” and is commercially available from CommunicationsTechnology Corporation. The sealant is initially placed along eachvertical seam 17 between the slide plate 12, 14 and the rain channel 16.However, the sealant must be reapplied each time the slide plates 12, 14are removed to access the service cable or wiring connections inside theenclosure 10. For various reasons, the craftsperson working in the fieldoftentimes fails to reapply the sealant to seams 17 before reinstallingthe slide plates 12, 14. As a result, the enclosure 10 is susceptible todamage from exposure to adverse environmental conditions, and inparticular, to water from rain, sleet, melting snow, or melting ice.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, it is apparent that a need exists for an outdoorenclosure that provides for vertical expansion. A further need existsfor an outdoor enclosure that provides improved weatherability andaccess to the electrical cables and wiring connections inside theenclosure in the event that the enclosure must be replaced. Additionalfeatures and advantages of the invention will be set forth in thefollowing description, and, in part, will become apparent from thedescription, or may be discerned by practice of the invention. Theseobjectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized andattained by an outdoor enclosure having the seamless slide plateparticularly pointed out in the written description and accompanyingdrawings provided herein, along with the claims appended hereto.

[0006] To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, thepresent invention is directed to an outdoor enclosure defining aninternal cavity for receiving an electrical cable and for protectingwiring connections within the internal cavity from exposure to adverseenvironmental conditions, such as water from rain, sleet, melting snow,or melting ice. The enclosure includes a housing having an opening forproviding sufficient access to the internal cavity. A seamless slideplate is removably attached to the housing. The slide plate extends atleast the entire width of the opening of the housing and directs thewater around the opening of the housing and away from the internalcavity defined by the enclosure.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the housing has a back wall, a pair ofside walls depending outwardly from the back wall, a floor dependingoutwardly from the back wall and extending between the side walls, and atop wall opposite the floor depending outwardly from the back wall andextending between the side walls. Together, the back wall, side walls,floor, and top wall define the opening of the housing. Preferably, theenclosure further includes a door attached to the housing. The door ismovable between a closed position covering the opening of the housingand an opened position exposing and providing access to the internalcavity defined by the enclosure. In a preferred embodiment of theinvention, the door is hingedly attached to the housing adjacent one ofthe side walls.

[0008] In another aspect of the invention, the slide plate is positionedbetween the top wall of the housing and the door. The top wall of thehousing depends outwardly from the back wall of the housing along aportion of the side walls and a top portion of the slide plate extendsinwardly in the direction of the back wall of the housing along theremaining portion of the side walls. The slide plate defines at leastone passageway with the top wall for permitting the electrical cable topass therethrough. The slide plate includes channeling means extendingcontinuously at least the entire width of the opening of the housing forpreventing water from entering the internal cavity defined by theenclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the channeling means of the slideplate includes a first flange depending downwardly from the top wall,and a second flange extending outwardly from the first flange adjacentthe opening of the housing.

[0009] It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are merely exemplaryand are intended to provide further explanation of the invention asclaimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or several embodiments of theinvention, and, together with the written description, serve to betterexplain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] One or more preferred embodiments of the invention will bedescribed more fully below and illustrated in the accompanying drawingsin which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a prior art outdoorenclosure including a pair of removable slide plates for providingvertical expansion and limited weatherability and access to theelectrical cable and wiring connections inside the enclosure;

[0012]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an outdoor enclosureincluding a seamless slide plate according to the present invention forproviding vertical expansion and improved weatherability and access tothe electrical cable and wiring connections inside the enclosure;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the slide plate of FIG. 2;

[0014]FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the slide plate of FIG. 2; and

[0015]FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the outdoorenclosure of FIG. 2 shown with the door of the housing in the closedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in which one or morepreferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated, FIGS. 2-5 show apreferred embodiment of an outdoor enclosure, indicated generally at 20,according to the invention. The outdoor enclosure 20 defines an internalcavity 22 that is suitable for receiving an electrical distributioncable 21 and for protecting wiring connections 23 and any electricalcomponents (not shown) within the internal cavity 22 from adverseenvironmental conditions, such as water from rain, sleet, melting snow,or melting ice. As best shown in FIG. 2, outdoor enclosure 20 comprisesa housing 30 defining an opening 40 and a slide plate 50 that extendscontinuously at least the entire width of the opening 40. As a result,the outdoor enclosure 20 provides for vertical expansion and improvedweatherability and access to the electrical cable 21 and wiringconnections 23 within the internal cavity 22, as will be described.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 30 is a generally rectangular boxhaving height and width dimensions and a depth dimension that istypically less than the height and width dimensions. The housing 30,however, may have any shape and may be any size suitable to accommodatethe electrical cable 21 and wiring connections 23, as well as anyadditional electrical components required for a particular application,within the internal cavity 22 of the enclosure 20. The housing 30 may bemade of any suitable structural material, but preferably is made of thinsheet metal or a strong, durable plastic. The housing 30 comprises agenerally planar back wall 32 opposite the opening 40. The back wall 32is typically provided with a plurality of through holes 31 (two shown)that receive conventional fasteners, such as nails or screws, to affixthe housing 30 to a structural component of the distribution network,such as an exterior wall of a building. A pair of generally planar sidewalls 34 depend outwardly from the back wall 32. The side walls 34 arepreferably parallel and extend perpendicular from the back wall 32. Theside walls 34 each comprise an inwardly extending flange 33 having atleast one hole 35 for receiving a conventional fastener, such as a sheetmetal screw, to removably attach the slide plate 50 to the housing 30.The side walls 34 may further comprise inwardly extending flanges 62having holes 61 for receiving fasteners or drop posts therein toremovably attach a rain cap 60 to the housing 30, as will be described.

[0018] The housing 30 further comprises a generally planar floor 36 thatdepends outwardly from the back wall 32 and extends laterally betweenthe side walls 34. The floor 36 has at least one through hole 37 forrouting the incoming distribution service cable 21 into the internalcavity 22 defined by the enclosure 20. A seal (not shown) is typicallyprovided between the hole 37 and service cable 21 to prevent adverseelements, such as dust, dirt, and insect or rodent infestations, fromentering the enclosure 20, and thereby degrading the performance of thedistribution network. The floor 36 typically has a second through hole(not shown) for routing the outgoing distribution drop cable 25 out ofthe enclosure 20. The second through hole and the drop cable 25 aresealed by a separate seal in the same or a different manner as the hole37 and the service cable 21. The housing 30 further comprises agenerally planar top wall 38 that depends outwardly from the back wall32 and extends laterally between the side walls 34 opposite the floor36. Like the flanges 62 of side walls 34, the top wall 38 may also haveone or more holes 61 for receiving fasteners or drop posts therein toremovably attach the rain cap 60 to the housing 30.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the top wall 38 depends outwardly from theback wall 32 along only a portion of the flanges 62 of the side walls34. When the slide plate 50 is attached to the flanges 33 of the sidewalls 34, a top portion 52 of the slide plate 50 extends inwardly alongthe remaining portion of the flanges 62 of the side walls 34. Thus, thetop wall 38 and the inner edge 53 of the top portion 52 of the slideplate 50 adjoin one another in a tight butt-joint arrangement. The inneredge 53 of the slide plate 50 and the top wall 38 of the housing 30 arecontoured to define at least one, and preferably two, through holes 39.The holes 39 are provided to permit the distribution cable 21 and thewiring connections 23 to pass from the interior cavity 22 of theenclosure 20 into the interior cavity of a subsequent enclosurevertically stacked on top of the enclosure 20, as will be described. Theholes 39 need not be identical in size or shape, and typically as shownherein, the hole 39 that routes the distribution cable 21 into thesubsequent enclosure is slightly larger in cross sectional area. Slideplate 50 may also be provided with cutouts or through holes 51 on topportion 52 that align with holes 61 provided on flanges 62 of side walls34. Holes 51 are sized to permit fasteners or drop posts to passtherethrough to removably attach rain cap 60 to housing 30.

[0020] Together, the back wall 32, the side walls 34, the floor 36, andthe top wall 38 define the opening 40 of the housing 30. The opening 40is typically covered by a door 42 that is attached to at least one ofthe side walls 34 of the housing 30. The door 42 is movable between aclosed position covering the opening 40 defined by the housing 30 and anopened position exposing the opening 40 and the internal cavity 22defined by the enclosure 20. In the opened position, the door 42provides access to the distribution cable 21, the wiring connections 23,and any electrical components within the internal cavity 22 of theenclosure 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the door 42 preferably is hinged to aside wall 34 of the housing 30 by a conventional pin hinge 44 that hasone half affixed to the flange 33 of the side wall 34 and the other halfaffixed to an inner edge 41 of the door 42. Housing 30, however, neednot comprise movable door 42 and instead may comprise a front wall (notshown) opposite the back wall 32 covering a portion of opening 40 withthe removable slide plate 50 covering the remaining portion of theopening 40. In such a configuration, the slide plate 50 may extenddownwardly in the direction of the floor 36 to, for example, about themiddle of the side walls 34 to provide sufficient access to thedistribution cable 21, the wiring connections 23 and any electricalcomponents within the interior cavity 22 of the enclosure 20. Thehousing 30 may further comprise a latch 46 and a lock (not shown) forsecuring the door 42 to the housing, and thereby limiting access to theinternal cavity 22 of the enclosure 20 to authorized personnel.

[0021] As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slide plate 50 furthercomprises channeling means 54 for preventing water, such as from rain,sleet, melting snow, or melting ice, from entering the internal cavity22 defined by the enclosure 20, and thereby degrading the performance ofthe distribution network. In the preferred embodiment described andillustrated herein, the channeling means 54 comprises a downwardlyextending first flange 56 and an outwardly extending second flange 57.At least one, and preferably two, through holes 55 (FIG. 2) are providedin first flange 56 for receiving the fasteners that removably attach theslide plate 50 to the housing 30, as previously described. Second flange57 extends outwardly from the lower edge of flange 56 in a directionaway from internal cavity 22 and opening 40. Preferably, channelingmeans 54 of slide plate 50 further comprises a lip 58 extending upwardlya short distance from the outer edge of second flange 57. Lip 58prevents water collected on second flange 57 from flowing downwardlybehind door 42 under the influence of gravity.

[0022] As shown, second flange 57 is generally perpendicular to firstflange 56. Second flange 57, however, may extend outwardly from firstflange 56 at any angle that is suitable to direct water away from theinternal cavity 22 and the opening 40. For example, second flange 57 maybe angled downwardly relative to first flange 56 so that the water flowsaway from first flange 56 towards lip 58 under the influence of gravity.Furthermore, second flange 57 may be crowned at a medial locationbetween the opposed ends of the first flange 56 so that the water flowsin the direction of side walls 34 under the influence of gravity. Asbest shown in FIG. 4, the cross sectional shape of channeling means 54(e.g., first flange 56, second flange 57, and lip 58) is generallyU-shaped. The cross sectional shape of channeling means 54, however, mayhave any other convenient shape, such as C-shaped. Furthermore,channeling means 54 may comprise only first flange 56 and second flange57 and may have any suitable cross sectional shape, such as L-shaped orV-shaped.

[0023] Most importantly, slide plate 50 is seamless. As used herein,“seamless” means that channeling means 54 extends continuously at leastthe entire width of the opening 40. Thus, there are no discontinuities,and in particular no vertical seams 17 (FIG. 1), along channeling means54 to permit water that collects on second flange 57 to seep into theinterior cavity 22 of the enclosure 20. As shown in FIG. 5, door 42 ofhousing 30 overlies the lower portion of first flange 56, second flange57, and lip 58. Accordingly, once rain cap 60 is removed and asubsequent enclosure is vertically stacked on top of enclosure 20, anywater that collects on second flange 57 could seep into the internalcavity 22 of the enclosure 20 if channeling means 54 did not extendcontinuously at least the entire width of the opening 40. Preferably,housing 30 of outdoor enclosure 20 further comprises vertical rainchannels 48 (FIG. 2) affixed to flanges 33 of side walls 34 andextending outwardly therefrom adjacent opening 40. Rain channels 48 arepositioned inwardly of door 42 so that the door 42 closes over the rainchannels 48 along with the lower portion of first flange 56, secondflange 57, and lip 58. Channeling means 54, and in particular secondflange 57, extend at least to, and preferably slightly beyond thevertical rain channels 48. As a result, water on second flange 57 isdirected laterally and then downwardly along rain channels 48 under theinfluence of gravity past opening 40.

[0024] In operation, a craftsperson installs the enclosure 20 in thedistribution network by securing housing 30 to a structural element,such as the exterior wall of a building, using fasteners that passthrough the holes 31 provided on back wall 32. The enclosure isinstalled with the side walls 34 oriented vertically and the floor 36and top wall 38 oriented horizontally. The distribution network servicecable 21 is then routed through the hole 37 into the interior cavity 22defined by the enclosure 20. Typically, the insulation of the servicecable 21 is then partially removed to permit any required wiringconnections 23 to be made in the interior cavity 22. For example, thecraftsperson may route a 100 pair telephone service cable 21 into theenclosure 20 and drop-off only 50 pair for making wiring connections 23to existing subscriber drop lines 27 (FIG. 2) of subscriber drop linecable 25 routed through the second hole 37 provided in floor 36. Oncethe desired wiring connections 23 are made, the unused, or “dark,”portion of service cable 21 is coiled and stored within the housing 30.If not already assembled, slide plate 50 is removably attached tohousing 30 by fasteners that pass through holes 55 formed in firstflange 56 of slide plate 50 and are received in holes 35 provided inflanges 33 of side walls 34. Rain cap 60 is then removably attached tohousing 30 by passing downwardly extending posts 65 through holes 51formed in top portion 52 of slide plate 50 and are received in holes 61provided in flanges 62 of side walls 34. Finally, door 42 (if provided)is moved to the closed position covering opening 40 and secured to latch46 in a conventional manner, for example by a lock (not shown).

[0025] Later, the service provider may desire to route the remaining 50pair of the 100 pair telephone service cable 21 into a subsequentenclosure (not shown) for connection to additional subscriber droplines. If so, the rain cap 60 and the slide plate 50 are removed fromhousing 30 and the door 42 (if provided) is moved to the opened positionexposing opening 40 and interior cavity 22 of enclosure 20. Thesubsequent enclosure is then positioned on top of enclosure 20,vertically aligned and secured to the structural element in aconventional manner. The unused portion of telephone service cable 21 isnext uncoiled and routed through hole 39 defined by the inner edge 53 oftop portion 52 of slide plate 50 and top wall 38. The additionalsubscriber drop lines of subscriber drop line cable 25 are then routedinto the subsequent enclosure through the second hole 39 defined byinner edge 53 of slide plate 50 and top wall 38. The desired additionalwiring connections are made in the interior cavity of the subsequentenclosure and any still unused portion of service cable 21 is coiled andstored within the housing of the subsequent enclosure for further futureexpansion in yet another subsequent enclosure that is stacked verticallyon top the first subsequent enclosure.

[0026] Obviously, those skilled in the art will immediately appreciatethat many alternative embodiments of the invention described herein arepossible without departing from the spirit of the invention.Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be construed broadlyenough to encompass any and all alternative embodiments that are withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as illustrated and described bythe written description, accompanying drawings and appended claims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. An enclosure comprising a housing definingan internal cavity and having an opening for providing access to theinternal cavity; and a slide plate removably attached to the housing,the slide plate extending at least the entire width of the opening ofthe housing.
 2. The enclosure of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises aback wall, a pair of side walls affixed to and depending outwardly fromthe back wall, a floor affixed to and depending outwardly from the backwall, the floor affixed to and extending between the side walls, a topwall affixed to and depending outwardly from the back wall, the top wallaffixed to and extending between the side walls opposite the floor. 3.The enclosure of claim 2 further comprising a door attached to thehousing and movable between a closed position covering the internalcavity defined by the housing and an opened position exposing theinternal cavity defined by the housing.
 4. The enclosure of claim 3wherein the door is hinged to the housing adjacent one of the sidewalls.
 5. The enclosure of claim 1 further comprising a rain cap affixedto the housing and overlying the slide plate.
 6. The enclosure of claim3 wherein an inner edge of the slide plate is positioned adjacent thetop wall of the housing and the slide plate comprises channeling meansfor preventing water from entering the internal cavity defined by thehousing, the channeling means extending continuously between the sidewalls of the housing at least the entire width of the opening of thehousing.
 7. The enclosure of claim 3 wherein an inner edge of the slideplate is positioned adjacent the top wall of the housing and the slideplate comprises a downwardly depending first flange and an outwardlydepending second flange for preventing water from entering the internalcavity defined by the housing, the second flange extending continuouslybetween the side walls of the housing at least the entire width of theopening of the housing.
 8. The enclosure of claim 2 wherein the slideplate defines at least one passageway with the top wall of the housingfor permitting the passage of an electrical cable therethrough.
 9. Theenclosure of claim 2 wherein the top wall of the housing dependsoutwardly from the back wall of the housing along a portion of the sidewalls and the slide plate extends inwardly in the direction of the backwall of the housing along the remaining portion of the side walls andwherein the slide plate defines at least one passageway with the topwall of the housing for permitting the passage of an electrical cabletherethrough.
 10. The enclosure of claim 9 wherein the slide platecomprises a first horizontal flange adjacent the top wall of thehousing, a second flange depending vertically downwardly from the firstflange, and a third flange depending outwardly from the second flange,the second and third flanges extending continuously at least the entirewidth of the opening defined by the housing.
 11. The enclosure of claim10 further comprising a lip depending upwardly from the third flange andwherein the second flange, the third flange and the lip define agenerally J-shaped cross section.
 12. An outdoor enclosure defining aninternal cavity for receiving an electrical cable and for protectingelectrical wiring connections within the cavity from exposure to adverseenvironmental conditions, the enclosure comprising a housing having aback wall, a pair of side walls affixed to and depending outwardly fromthe back wall, a floor affixed to and depending outwardly from the backwall, the floor affixed to and extending between the side walls, a topwall affixed to and depending outwardly from the back wall, the top wallaffixed to and extending between the side walls opposite the floor, thetop wall, the floor, and the side walls of the housing defining anopening; and a slide plate removably attached to the housing, the slideplate extending continuously between the side walls of the housing atleast the entire width of the opening of the housing.
 13. The outdoorenclosure of claim 12 further comprising a door attached to the housingadjacent a side wall of the housing, the door being movable between aclosed position covering the opening of the housing and an openedposition exposing the internal cavity defined by the enclosure.
 14. Theoutdoor enclosure of claim 13 wherein an inner edge of the slide plateis positioned adjacent the top wall of the housing and wherein the slideplate comprises channeling means for preventing the adverseenvironmental conditions from entering the internal cavity defined bythe enclosure, the channeling means extending continuously between theside walls of the housing at least the entire width of the opening ofthe housing.
 15. The outdoor enclosure of claim 13 wherein an inner edgeof the slide plate is positioned adjacent the top wall of the housingand wherein the slide plate comprises a downwardly depending firstflange and an outwardly depending second flange for preventing theadverse environmental conditions from entering the internal cavitydefined by the enclosure, the second flange extending continuouslybetween the side walls of the housing at least the entire width of theopening of the housing.
 16. The outdoor enclosure of claim 12 whereinthe slide plate defines at least one passageway with the top wall of thehousing for permitting the passage of an electrical cable therethrough.17. The outdoor enclosure of claim 12 wherein the top wall of thehousing depends outwardly from the back wall of the housing along aportion of the side walls and the slide plate extends inwardly in thedirection of the back wall of the housing along the remaining portion ofthe side walls and wherein the slide plate defines at least onepassageway with the top wall of the housing for permitting the passageof an electrical cable therethrough.
 18. An outdoor enclosure for use ina communications service network, the enclosure defining an internalcavity for receiving an electrical cable and for protecting wiringconnections within the cavity from exposure to adverse environmentalconditions, the enclosure comprising: a housing having a rear wall, apair of opposed side walls affixed to and depending outwardly from therear wall, a floor affixed to and depending outwardly from the rear walland affixed to and extending between the side walls, a top wall affixedto and depending outwardly from the rear wall and affixed to andextending between the side walls opposite the floor, and a door hingedlyattached to the housing opposite the rear wall and extending between theside walls; and a slide plate having an inner edge positioned adjacentthe top wall of the housing and extending between the opposed sidewalls, the slide plate defining at least one opening with the top wallfor permitting the passage of the electrical cable therethrough, theslide plate comprising a continuous channel extending at least theentire width of the door to prevent the entry of the adverseenvironmental conditions into the internal cavity defined by theenclosure.